Bassline construction

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we discuss the concept of bassline construction. I will begin with a parallel story. I was talking with a friend of mine, a 5☆ NYC chef. He had just fed me one of my top 5 lifetime meals...so delicious and creative. I was complimenting him and he said the following, "I take the time to see what's available and use the fundamentals of culinary science and my creativity to build a dish that has components that compliment each other and deliver a specific flavor profile...". While he was talking it hit me...THAT is exactly how basslines (or any melodies) are built! Listen to what is going on and use the harmony, rhythm and ur musical creativity to build a line that works with the other parts being played to make a cohesive piece of music. It goes beyond riffs or licks or obsession with extended techniques. It is a purposeful, creative process that takes specific skills. It requires knowing the harmony INTIMATELY, being confident in conveying the rhythm (or groove) and being sensitive to the rest of the music in terms of (for example) note density, space, dynamics, etc. It is truly composition, whether pre-determined or "on the fly". Ok, as usual...how? Much of this begins with knowledge of the fundamentals. I have spoken about how to study them in many previous talks. Beyond that, IMO, try the following exercises. Take a tune u like and rewrite the bassline. First, find or determine the chords/harmony. Write down the notes of each chord (arpeggios and/or pentatonics) and begin to build ur bassline. Find a "no bass" play-along and play ur line. Try to make several, each creative and different but still fitting the song. Know WHAT AND WHY in every step. Compare it to the original. Which do u like more? Why? Try with other tunes...different genres...test urself and push the envelope as far as u can. I have given this exercise to countless students. It can be very difficult, but it usually yields amazing results. Try it! It will push ur playing to a new level. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com